Niqab och burka förbjuds vid kanadensiska medborgarskapsceremonier

I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithfuland bear true allegiance to Her MajestyQueen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada,Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfullyobserve the laws of Canadaand fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.

There was mixed reaction from Canadian Muslim groups to news Monday
that prospective Canadians can no longer wear veils, like the Islamic
niqab or the face-shielding burka, while taking the oath of citizenship.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced that new Canadians will have to remove any face-coverings while they swear the oath.

The response from two prominent Muslim groups couldn't have
been more different: some heartily applauded the move and others
denounced it as causing unnecessary trepidation in the community.

Kenney said it's not just a question of "deep principle" for someone
to show their face while taking the oath in front of their fellow
citizens, it's also a matter of legal concern.

"I don't know how we can verify that someone whose
face is covered is actually taking the oath that the law requires of
them," he told a news conference in Montreal.

"This is a public act of witness in front of your
fellow citizens, in front of the law — and you should be willing to show
who you are."